Visual position indicator for valves with linear moving valve stem

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a visual valve indicator comprised of a handle assembly with peripheral sidewalls attached to a linear moving valve stem for opening and closing of the valve and a grommet stratified into one or more color bands attached to and surrounding the base of the valve stem.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] There are no related applications.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for visuallyindicating the open and closed position of a valve having a linearmoving valve stem.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is often difficult to determine at a glance whether a valve isopen or closed. This problem is of particular concern in consumer goods,such as with valves on propane gas tanks, where harmful gases couldescape without notice and potentially cause serious injury. Known typesof indicating devises are generally not well suited for use invalve-containing consumer goods because these indicators are typicallyintegrated with the valve assembly and/or contain a number of movingparts which increase the possibility of malfunction and also increasethe cost of production.

[0004] Known inventions include those in which the valve indicator ispart of the valve handle assembly. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,308describes a valve indicator consisting of a knurled valve handle havingwindows that expose an on/off color indicator of an interior ringoperating by means of a spring and ball bearing mechanism.

[0005] Other known indicator devices function by attachment to the valvestem or actuator stem. U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,805 discloses a valveposition indicator fitted to the drive shaft of a valve actuator. Theindicator has a sleeve interposed between an inner cylinder and an outercylinder and arranged such that rotation of the actuator rotates theinner cylinder and causes the sleeve to slide between the inner andouter cylinders allowing a different color to be visible when the valveis open or closed.

[0006] Another known mechanism of operation for valve positionindicators is by attachment of the indicator to the valve bonnet. U.S.No. Pat. 2,485,942 discloses an indicator comprised of contrasting colorvanes, one affixed to the valve bonnet and the other responsive to valvestem movement. When the valve stem is moved, one vane slides over theother to indicate whether the valve is open or closed.

[0007] Each of the aforementioned inventions illustrates thedisadvantages of known mechanisms for valve position indicators. Theseindicators operate by use of moving parts, which are additional to thevalve mechanism itself. Additional moving parts not only increase costsof production, but could also potentially fail, leading possible erroron the part of the operator and the need to replace the entire valveassembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is directed to a valve indicator whereinthe open/closed position of the valve is indicated by the visibleappearance of one or two color bands below the hand wheel on a linearmoving valve stem. Although the present invention will be described withparticular reference to propane gas tank valves, it will be appreciatedthat the invention has broader applications and may be used with othertypes of valves having a valve stem that moves linearly from the open toclosed position and/or in other environments. The invention is comprisedof a hand wheel assembly with a hand grip having peripheral sidewallsand a downward depending annular sleeve wherein the hand wheel assemblyis attached to a linear moving valve stem which operates to open andclose the valve. A grommet stratified into one or more color bands isattached to and rests on the valve bonnet adjacent to the point wherethe valve stem enters the valve bonnet. As the valve is closed, thelength of the valve stem shortens, drawing the annular sleeve of thehand wheel assembly down over the grommet to obscure one or more layersof the grommet's color bands from vision, indicating that the valve isin the closed position. As the valve is opened, the length of the valvestem becomes longer, moving the annular sleeve of the hand wheel awayfrom the grommet, thus exposing one or more layers of the grommet'scolor band, indicating that the valve is in the open position.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the indicating means of the presentinvention is utilized in a propane gas tank valve.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a visualsignal on a valve to indicate that a valve is open or closed.

[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide anindicator that is advantageously suited for use in consumer goodscontaining valves.

[0012] It is an additional object of the present invention to provide aninexpensive means to provide a visual valve position indication.

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide visualposition indicating means on a valve without the addition of movingparts to facilitate manufacturing.

[0014] It is yet another object of the present invention to enhance thesafety of a manual valve by providing visual indication of the valveopen position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The presently preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosedin the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevational view of an upper portionof a valve assembly having the features of the present inventionincorporated therein;

[0017]FIG. 2 is bottom plan view depicting the features of the presentinvention;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the valve position indicator in avalve closed position; and

[0019]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the valve position indicator in avalve open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Referring now to the cross-sectional view in FIG. 1, there isillustrated hand wheel assembly 10 comprised of an exterior hand grip 12with peripheral sidewalls 14 forming a recessed cavity 16 on theunderside of grip 12. Sidewalls 14 are preferably provided with asurface and shape suitable for secure manual gripping. Disposed withincavity 16 is an integral downward depending annular sleeve 18.

[0021] Hand wheel assembly 10 is attached to a valve stem 20 by afastener 22. A colored grommet 24 is attached to the upper portion of avalve bonnet 26. Grommet 24 may be affixed by any number of means,although preferably by an interference fit. A groove 28 may be preciselymachined or otherwise formed in valve bonnet 26 corresponding to thelimit of travel of stem 20.

[0022] In the preferred embodiment, stem 20 is threadedly engaged with avalve actuator 30. Valve 32 is actuated by rotation of hand wheelassembly 10 attached to stem 20, causing stem 20 to move linearly in andout of valve bonnet 26. There may be alternate means of actuating thevalve other than by a threaded stem, and the present invention willaccommodate any linear moving valve stem having a fixed closed position.

[0023] An annular sleeve distal end 34 projects at least as far assidewalls 14, and preferably slightly beyond sidewalls 14, in order toenhance the visual contrast between sleeve 18 and the grommet 24. Distalend 34 may be tapered outwardly to complement a beveled surface 36 ofgrommet 24. Furthermore, sleeve 18 must encompass grommet 24 with aclose tolerance in both the vertical and horizontal planes in order toachieve accurate indications of position. Grommet 24 must become exposedupon the slightest opening of valve 32 so as to properly indicateposition. In a pressurized gas tank, fluid communication occurs upon theslightest opening of the valve seat, and a greater degree ofdisplacement of the valve does not appreciably affect the rate of flow.

[0024] A bottom plan view of the valve indicator in valve closedposition is depicted in FIG. 2. In the preferred embodiment, exteriorhandgrip 12 has fluted peripheral sidewalls 14 to provide a suitablegripping surface. Inside the periphery of handgrip 12, annular sleeve 18is projects downward to cover colored grommet 24 surrounding valve stem20.

[0025]FIG. 3 depicts the appearance of the valve position indicator whenvalve 32, with an inlet 38 and an outlet 40, is in the closed position.As valve 32 is closed, valve stem 20, as depicted in FIG. 1, is rotateddownward into a valve body 42 to its maximum point of travel. Sleeve 18is thereby drawn toward valve bonnet 26. When the valve seat (not shown)closes, grommet 24 is completely concealed within sleeve 18. Thedisappearance of colored grommet 24 indicates that valve 32 is in theclosed position.

[0026]FIG. 4 depicts the appearance of the valve position indicator whenvalve 32 is in the open position. As valve 32 is opened, valve stem 20,as depicted in FIG. 1, extends as it is rotated away from valve bonnet26 thereby moving sleeve 18 of hand wheel assembly 10 away from valvebonnet 26 to expose colored grommet 24. The visual appearance of coloredgrommet 24 indicates that valve 32 is in the open position.

[0027] In an alternate embodiment, grommet 24 is stratified into twocolor bands around valve bonnet 26. Sleeve 18 covers the first band whenin the fully retracted or closed position.

[0028] As an example, and not by way of limitation, grommet 24 may beconstructed of a resilient, elastomeric material that will stretch toconform around the bonnet 26 and retain itself in friction fit. Thecolor bands may also be designated by a bright fluorescent painted ringor rings.

[0029] As demonstrated by the detailed description of the preferredembodiment, the improved arrangement of the present invention allows theuser of the valve to readily determine whether the valve is in the openor closed position. The simplistic construction achieves long-termperformance of the indicator at a nominal cost of production.

[0030] According to the provisions of the patent statutes, we haveexplained the principle, preferred construction, and mode of operationof the invention, and have illustrated and described what we nowconsider to represent its best embodiments. However, it should beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims and theforegoing description, the invention may be practiced, otherwise thanspecifically illustrated and described.

We claim:
 1. A valve position visual indicator comprising: a. a handwheel assembly mounted on a valve, the hand wheel assembly having adownward depending annular sleeve; b. wherein the hand wheel assembly isattached to a linear moving valve stem, wherein said stem operates toopen and close the valve; c. a grommet defining a circular openingstratified into one or more color bands; d. said grommet being attachedto and encircling a bonnet portion attached to said valve adjacent tothe point where said valve stem enters the valve bonnet; and e. saidsleeve providing means for concealing said grommet at a point of maximumtravel of the stem corresponding to a valve closed position, and forexposing one or more color bands on said grommet corresponding to avalve open position.
 2. The valve position visual indicator as set forthin claim 1, wherein said sleeve means for concealing said grommetcomprises linear movement such that when the valve is in the closedposition, the sleeve conceals said grommet entirely.
 3. The valveposition visual indicator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said grommetalso being comprised of a pair of sharply contrasting color bands forvisually signaling a position of said valve.
 4. The valve positionvisual indicator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said grommet beingadapted for an interference fit about the perimeter of said valvebonnet.
 5. The valve position visual indicator as set forth in claim 1,wherein said grommet also having a flared sidewall beveled radiallyoutwardly to a predetermined point so as to be completely concealed bysaid annular sleeve portion when the valve actuator is in the closedposition.
 6. The valve position visual indicator as set forth in claim1, wherein said valve being adapted for use on a propane gas tank. 7.The valve position visual indicator as set forth in claim 1, wherein thehand grip also having peripheral sidewalls outside the diameter of thesleeve.
 8. A valve position indicating means for use with a linearlymoving valve stem comprising: a) a valve body having a bonnet portion,an inlet port, an outlet port and an actuator means for controllingfluid communication between said inlet and outlet ports; b) a stemportion connected to said actuator means extending into said bonnetportion through a hollow bore, said stem portion moveable axially withinsaid bore to open or close said actuator means; c) a hand wheel portionfastened to said stem portion for rotating the stem portion within thebore such that rotation of the hand wheel portion displaces the stemportion linearly within the hollow bore to open or close said actuatormeans; d) a sleeve portion attached to the hand wheel portion anddepending downwardly therefrom and having a hollow inside diameter; e)an annular grommet portion affixed to the bonnet portion having anoutside diameter less than the sleeve portion inside diameter; and f)said grommet portion providing a visually contrasting band around saidbonnet portion such that linear movement of the stem causes the sleeveto fully conceal said grommet when the actuator means reaches the pointof closure.
 9. The valve position indicating means as set forth in claim8, wherein said hand wheel also having peripheral sidewalls dependingdownwardly to facilitate gripping and turning of said hand wheel. 10.The valve position indicating means as set forth in claim 8, whereinsaid grommet portion having an outwardly beveled side surfaceterminating at a point approximately adjacent said interior diameter ofsaid sleeve portion when said actuator means is in the closed position.11. The valve position indicating means as set forth in claim 8, whereinsaid grommet portion being comprised of an elastomeric material, saidbonnet portion also having a groove circumscribed radially about saidbonnet portion for retaining the position of said grommet portion forprecise marking associated with the closed position of the valveactuator means.
 12. The valve position indicating means as set forth inclaim 8, wherein said grommet portion being a fluorescent green colorfor visually contrasting indication when exposed by rotation of thevalve stem.
 13. The valve position indicating means as set forth inclaim 8, wherein said grommet portion being a fluorescent color selectedfrom the group of colors consisting of green or red for visuallycontrasting indication when exposed by rotation of the valve stem.
 14. Avisual position indicator for a valve with a linear moving valve stemwhich comprises: a. a means for moving the valve stem linearly in andout of the valve; b. a colored band attached to and resting on a bonnetportion of said valve adjacent to the point where said valve stem entersthe valve bonnet; and c. a concealing device for concealing the coloredband at a point of maximum travel of the valve stem corresponding to avalve closed position, and for exposing the colored band when the valveis in the open position, said concealing device being attached to ormoving with the means for moving the valve stem.
 15. The visual positionindicator as set forth in claim 14, wherein said colored band iscomprised of an elastomeric band retentively positioned at apredetermined point on said bonnet portion corresponding to the point ofmaximum travel of the valve in the closed position.
 16. The visualposition indicator as set forth in claim 14, wherein the color band iscomprised of at least one painted circumferential stripe.